When Lynette Whiteman's daughter went to college, she decided to get a dog. She called this pet her empty nest dog. Besides having someone else to care for, she stated that her new friend loved her non-judgmentally and didn't care if she gained weight or got gray hair. This is just one reason people adore their pets. Yet the benefits of seniors having a furry friend can be life changing. [...]
According to a 2017 Kaiser Foundation study, 7 in 10 Americans wish to die at home. Contrary to this desire, half die in nursing homes and hospitals. Pain is a major barrier to a peaceful death, with half of Americans dying with uncontrolled pain. All this can lead to fear and a denial of death. But the good news is that there are ways to go about preparing for a [...]
There are currently around 70 million baby boomers. Some are hyper-focused on maintaining youthfulness. Or at the least, delaying what they consider to be old. There are countless self-help books and articles based off this topic. However, what is "old" anyway? Defining "old" is vastly different to almost every person you ask. Factors such as health, cognitive function, and disability will play a role. But in reality, the definition of [...]
At times, nursing homes can be sad, isolating, and lonely for seniors. Between the loss of independence and loss of capacity to care for yourself, depression can set in. Luckily, in northwest Arkansas there is a gem of a child named Ruby Chitsey. Ruby enjoys going to work with her mom at a local nursing home. This may not seem like anything special. But what she does is nothing short [...]
If your aging loved one is doing well, it's easy to put off planning for the future. Especially if they are in good health and able to care for themselves still. Yet waiting for a crisis to strike is never a good idea. Think of how you treat your car. It may not have squeaky breaks or leaking oil. But you probably still take it in for regular maintenance. Not [...]
Seniors often have limited mobility. It could be due to conditions like strokes, arthritis, or injuries from falls. In addition, even the normal aging process can take a toll on our ability to move like we used to. Whatever the cause may be, hobbies and activities you once enjoyed do not have to end. Most of them can be modified in some way to accommodate your limitations as you age. [...]
You have probably heard the terms palliative care and hospice care. You know both are commonly used in the aging population. Both forms of care revolve around ensuring comfort. Providing pain management. Both can help improve quality of life. You may need palliative care or hospice care for a loved one. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference. Care.com breaks down the similarities and differences for us. Both palliative [...]
Are you thinking of long-term care or a senior living community? Whether it's for you or your loved one, it can be a little confusing. There are so many types. Each offer different kinds of amenities and services. Knowing you or your loved one's specific needs is the first step. Learning the basics of senior care communities will inform your life choices as you age. This Next Avenue article helps [...]
Our society is becoming more and more technologically advanced. While this is a great way to oversee finances, unfortunately seniors fall victim to financial scams far too often. Older Americans have the highest rates of fraud. In any given year, they make up nearly 25 percent of fraud complaints. Due to these unfortunate statistics, protecting finances for seniors is crucial. This article from Lend EDU says to pay attention to [...]
A lot of us think of our parents as capable and strong. We think of them as they once were when we were young. There are thousands of books, websites, and articles on helping your aging parents. But there are far fewer resources available to help you through the variety of emotions you're bound to experience as your parents age. As their health declines, baby boomers watch their parents and [...]
